Droid Life » NVIDIAhttp://www.droid-life.com
An intense Android news community bringing you the latest in phones, rooting, apps, and reviews.Sat, 01 Aug 2015 18:19:40 +0000en-UShourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=4.2.3NVIDIA SHIELD Tablet Updated to Android 5.1.1, Includes Performance Improvementshttp://www.droid-life.com/2015/07/31/nvidia-shield-tablet-updated-to-android-5-1-1-includes-performance-inprovements/
http://www.droid-life.com/2015/07/31/nvidia-shield-tablet-updated-to-android-5-1-1-includes-performance-inprovements/#commentsFri, 31 Jul 2015 16:10:46 +0000http://www.droid-life.com/?p=171709NVIDIA SHIELD Tablet Updated to Android 5.1.1, Includes Performance Improvements is a post from: Droid Life
]]>If your SHIELD Tablet was not affected by this morning’s recall, you can now enjoy the newly released Android 5.1.1 update. Inside, owners should see performance optimizations across the board, with NVIDIA forum members already praising the new speeds they are seeing.

The official changelog lists stability and performance improvements, plus system-wide optimizations and fixes, including audio.

Go grab that update and enjoy, if you were not affected by the recall. If you were, you still have to update the device, but then you should probably not use the device.

]]>http://www.droid-life.com/2015/07/31/nvidia-shield-tablet-updated-to-android-5-1-1-includes-performance-inprovements/feed/9NVIDIA Issues Recall for SHIELD Tablet Units Purchased Between July 2014 and July 2015http://www.droid-life.com/2015/07/31/nvidia-issues-recall-for-shield-tablet-units-purchased-between-july-2014-and-july-2015/
http://www.droid-life.com/2015/07/31/nvidia-issues-recall-for-shield-tablet-units-purchased-between-july-2014-and-july-2015/#commentsFri, 31 Jul 2015 15:36:57 +0000http://www.droid-life.com/?p=171704NVIDIA Issues Recall for SHIELD Tablet Units Purchased Between July 2014 and July 2015 is a post from: Droid Life
]]>A recall has been issued by NVIDIA for the SHIELD Tablet, possibly affecting anyone who purchased the device from July of 2014 to July of 2015. The issue surrounds the battery used in the device, as it has been found that in some cases, it can overheat and become a fire hazard. To correct this issue, NVIDIA is offering free SHIELD Tablets to anyone who owns an affected unit.

To see if your tablet is affected, you will need to grab the latest software update, bringing your device up to Android 5.1.1. Inside that update, NVIDIA baked in a tool owners can use to see if their device is at risk. Once you have updated, go into your Settings menu, then select About Device at the bottom. From here, hit “Status,” then tap your finger on the Battery portion — the device will automatically inform you if it is at risk or not. If the battery category shows B01, your device is not affected. If it shows Y01, your device needs to be replaced.

Once you send NVIDIA your information through their dedicated claims site, and everything gets approved, your new tablet will be on its way. Take this time to back-up any important information you have on the device, then it is probably a good idea to turn it off and just leave it.

After checking my tablet, it appears I have to send mine in, but hey, NVIDIA is replacing the affected units with brand new tablets, so I can’t complain.

After the update, users will see the “latest” version of Android, a Play Books bug fixed, and the removal of Sonic 4: Episode II, Expendable: Rearmed, and the OG Android Browser. That’s not all, though. NVIDIA is adding in Chromecast support, killing off Miracast, and updating Twitch to the latest version.

The update should be live now, so jump into Settings>About device to grab it.

]]>http://www.droid-life.com/2015/07/07/nvidia-shield-receives-update-includes-improved-wifi-and-controller-connectivity/feed/12Half-Life 2: Episode Two, Q.U.B.E. Director’s Cut, Never Alone, and Funk of Titans Launched for NVIDIA SHIELDhttp://www.droid-life.com/2015/06/30/nvidia-shield-half-life-2-never-alone/
http://www.droid-life.com/2015/06/30/nvidia-shield-half-life-2-never-alone/#commentsTue, 30 Jun 2015 16:00:34 +0000http://www.droid-life.com/?p=170075Half-Life 2: Episode Two, Q.U.B.E. Director’s Cut, Never Alone, and Funk of Titans Launched for NVIDIA SHIELD is a post from: Droid Life
]]>Owners of the NVIDIA SHIELD have four new game titles they can check out this morning on Google Play, one of which may lead to rumors surfacing that Half-Life 3 is actually confirmed.

Continuing its push to bring console and PC-class gaming titles to the Android TV platform for its consumers, NVIDIA announced the availability of Half-Life 2: Episode Two, Q.U.B.E. Director’s Cut, Never Alone, and Funk of Titans.

I don’t believe I have to explain too much about Half-Life 2, but as for what you do need to know, it requires a game controller and is currently exclusive to SHIELD and the SHIELD Tablet. Priced at $7.99, it’s the classic you all remember.

Other games include Never Alone, a game I had previously never heard of before, but it looks absolutely fantastic. Set as a puzzler, you play as a young child who is friends with an arctic fox. You two set out across a snowy landscape, meeting interesting characters, hoping to solve the case of an eternal blizzard that threatens the planet’s existence. It sounds intense, looks intense, and that fox is adorable.

To grab one of these titles, hit the links below. Do note, not all may be live in Google Play just yet, but keep checking back periodically. It takes time for some titles to populate Google’s servers.

]]>http://www.droid-life.com/2015/06/30/nvidia-shield-half-life-2-never-alone/feed/9NVIDIA SHIELD Reviewhttp://www.droid-life.com/2015/06/23/nvidia-shield-review-2/
http://www.droid-life.com/2015/06/23/nvidia-shield-review-2/#commentsTue, 23 Jun 2015 20:48:45 +0000http://www.droid-life.com/?p=167826NVIDIA SHIELD Review is a post from: Droid Life
]]>NVIDIA’s SHIELD set-top box is quite the little machine. A few of you may already have it in your home, given that it first became available back in late May, but just like smartphones, we like to take our time living with this tech in our own home, making sure we know the whole story before rushing to post a complete review.

I have been living with SHIELD hooked up to my TV in the living room for a little under a month now, and while most of my experience has been fantastic, it’s not NVIDIA’s hardware that causes issues for me at times; it’s Android TV. In the review below, we will go over the benefits of buying a SHIELD over a basic Nexus Player, plus the ups and downs of living with Android TV.

This is our NVIDIA SHIELD review.

The Good

Specs

The SHIELD features a Tegra X1 processor with 3GB of RAM, plus 16GB of onboard storage. If you opt for the Pro model, you receive 500GB of storage, containing a hybrid HD with spinning hard disk and small amount of flash memory to help with performance. For ports, SHIELD has 2 full-size USB 3.0 slots, HDMI 2.0 with HDCP 2.2 4K (UHD) copy protection, 2.0 micro-USB for ADB, Bluetooth 2.1, Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11 ac – 2×2 MIMO WiFi connectivity, and a Infra-red port for Logitech Universal remotes. In terms of an Android TV set-top box, not much compares to SHIELD currently on the market.

Hardware

At least from my experience, NVIDIA has never skimped when it comes to hardware. Everything from their tablets (SHIELD Tablet) to hand-held gaming consoles (SHIELD Portable) feel very premium, with SHIELD being no different. It’s slightly heavy, with the look of brushed metal on part of its exterior, but thankfully, this isn’t a device you have to carry around with you. Once you have it placed on your desk or wherever in your living room, it will likely stay there, looking good. It features a unique design, with edges and points on its topside, plus that shiny NVIDIA Green illumination when powered on. It’s a good looking unit.

Accessories

Like other SHIELD devices, the SHIELD Android TV has a few accessories available to it, those being a SHIELD Remote and a SHIELD Stand. The SHIELD Remote is much like the remote you would find with the Nexus Player, but NVIDIA went above and beyond in terms of capability. With SHIELD Remote, folks who wish to watch their shows in privacy can hook up a headset directly to the remote for audio via a built-in 3.5mm headphone jack. This way you don’t have to wake up your spouse or kids who are sleeping upstairs while consuming your content. The SHIELD Controller, included with the purchase of SHIELD, also features a headphone jack. The SHIELD Stand is rather basic, allowing you to prop up SHIELD, much like you could a Xbox 360. It features a light adhesive on its bottom side, as to make sure it never falls over during an earthquake or getting bumped by something. This adhesive can be pulled up and moved, remaining sticky and not leaving marks.

The SHIELD Controller that is coupled with SHIELD out of the box is the same controller that launched alongside SHIELD Tablet. The only real difference is that it features Lollipop style buttons instead of Kit Kat on the frontside for Home, Back, and Start. It’s a well-built gaming controller, complete with triggers, bumpers, d-pad, joysticks, and long-lasting battery. The battery is charged via a microUSB port on the controller’s topside, right next to the headphone jack. Folks may ask, why did NVIDIA include a SHIELD Controller with SHIELD and not just a SHIELD Remote? Well, that’s simple. During a briefing, NVIDIA states that they want buyers to receive the full experience, no matter which model of SHIELD you get. SHIELD Android TV is meant to be experienced with a full game controller, given that its main purpose, at least in my eyes, is gaming.

Each of these accessories can be purchased separately, and additional SHIELD Controllers can be bought as well. The SHIELD Remote is priced at $50, SHIELD Stand at $30, and extra SHIELD Controllers cost $60.

Gaming and Performance

Most of my excitement surrounding SHIELD was the gaming aspect. Sure, you can play games built for compatibility with Android TV, but let’s be real, not all of those are awesome. Announced alongside SHIELD was the release of DOOM 3: BFG Edition, The Talos Principle, Miami Hotline, and Luftrausers. Now these games are what I’m talking about — games built specifically for those with gaming controllers, played on the big screen TV in your living room. Thanks to SHIELD’s computing power, shooting my way through DOOM 3, plus the older DOOM and DOOM II was really great, and with NVIDIA testing controls and playability themselves, controllers work without a hitch during gameplay.

For users of GameStream, don’t worry, it’s baked into SHIELD as well. GameStream allows you to stream your compatible PC games via your home’s Internet connection to the HDTV in your living room. First introduced with SHIELD Tablet, you will again need to make sure you have all of the necessary tech to make it work. And for the Twitch streamers among us, NVIDIA Share is available, allowing you to stream your gameplay directly to Twitch while you play. For gamers who love to share their experiences, it’s a big advantage over anything else on the market.

Beyond just gaming, whipping through Android TV’s menus is a breeze, with no signs of jank or lag. Everything runs smoothly at 60FPS. With the Tegra X1 and 3GB of RAM, you would really hope not to see any performance hiccups, and thankfully during my living experience, I didn’t notice any issues in the performance department. As long as you have excellent Internet speeds, everything should download smoothly, run phenomenally, and look fantastic.

GRID

Alongside games released natively for Android that you can download straight from Google Play, NVIDIA has something special for those who want to take gaming to that next level, and that’s Full HD game streaming from GRID. No longer in beta, GRID allows you to stream games via dedicated servers over a high-speed data connection. To NVIDIA, a high-speed data connection equates to a recommended 5-10 Mbps for 720p streaming and 30-50 Mbps for 1080p. To get those speeds, I would recommend hardwiring SHIELD to your router, just to make sure you don’t have to worry about an inconsistent WiFi connection. As for which games are available for streaming, currently there is Batman: Arkham Origins and Arkham Asylum, GRID and GRID 2 (racing games), Borderlands, Homefront, F.E.A.R. 3, Dead Island, and a boat load of LEGO titles. NVIDIA adds new titles to GRID regularly, so don’t worry about running out of titles to play.

Honestly, I don’t like to buy every game that is available for whatever console I own. GRID allows me to play these games free of charge and even saves my progress on a server via my account. As a consumer, this is a ton of value included with my initial purchase of SHIELD, so anything that is included along with that purchase is icing on the cake to me.

I stress the issue of gaming to potential buyers of SHIELD because if you are interested in buying this box, yet don’t plan on playing any games, what’s the point? Sure, if you want a super glorified $199+ Android TV box, go for it, but in actuality, this is a specialty device with a somewhat limited market. Yes, the gaming industry is huge and mobile gaming is growing like crazy, but how many people really want to play their mobile games on a HDTV? A SHIELD buyer needs to want to play AAA gaming titles in the living room, with a controller in-hand. NVIDIA already has more gaming titles lined up, so if you take gaming seriously, SHIELD is really your only option for the living room in the Android TV space.

4K (UHD) Capability

Unlike other Android TV boxes, SHIELD is essentially future proof. It features the ability to playback 4K content, something that other boxes cannot do. Now, as of today, 4K content is extremely limited, but it is really only a matter of time until it is mainstream. 4K TVs are becoming more affordable, and with this, the demand for 4K content will grow. As we already see, Netflix produces a TV series in UHD, which looks fantastic when being streamed on SHIELD. I thought Kevin Spacey in House of Cards was already a good looking guy, but in 4K, he’s super handsome.

Beyond limited content, unless you want to stream 24 hours of MKBHD YouTube videos, the simple fact that SHIELD supports 4K is important. In a world where whatever we buy seems outdated the second we open the box, SHIELD will at least be able to keep up with the change from Full HD over to 4K as it becomes more popular among movie/TV studios and content creators.

Note: NVIDIA provided a 4K TV to me for this review.

Updates Straight From NVIDIA

Just like previous SHIELD devices from NVIDIA, updates for these units and accessories come straight from the company; no waiting for carriers or any of that nonsense. In my experience, NVIDIA takes the update game extremely serious, always trying to provide the latest build of Android to their customers, while still baking in special features. Since having SHIELD in my home, it has received a few updates that focus on making it perform better during streaming. If updates are important to you, as they should be, SHIELD seems set to receive updates well into the future.

Somewhere in the Middle

Android TV Software

Android TV has been available for quite some time, but it still has some growing to do. The basic operation of it is simple enough, complete with scrolling and clicking, but I feel it is missing something. Maybe if I could hook my cable box up through Android TV to get some type of overlay, that could be sweet, but sadly, this is not the case. Instead, on my TV, I have to switch inputs from my cable box to see my SHIELD content. Once loaded up, Android TV is very minimal. You can access Play Movies and Play Music, plus download third party apps like MLB.TV, Netflix, and Hulu Plus, but one of my main issues was Google Play. Before the recent Android TV update, browsing through whatever titles were available on Google Play wasn’t quite possible. You either had to load up the apps from your desktop and send them to Android TV, or hope the app was popular enough to be listed on the front page. Now with the update available, browsing all apps is possible, it’s just that there seems to be a lack in the Android TV app ecosystem as a whole. It’s growing, but still lacking. Everything you probably need is there, such as Netflix and Hulu — HBO Go is on the way — but a first time user of Android TV may be left a little bored with the lack of features.

Now, besides an unknown longing for something more, Android TV is a nice, simple platform for watching YouTube videos and movies already in your Play Movies library. Given that it is tied to your account, accessing your already-owned content is very easy, and thanks to the built-in Voice Search function, finding whatever you want is made very easy. Don’t get me wrong, Android TV is nice, but I think it could be better.

Pricing and Availability

SHIELD is priced very well, if you plan on using it to its full potential. For the 16GB model, capable of only holding a few games, you are looking at a $199 price. This includes a SHIELD Controller, access to GRID game streaming, plus a promotion for $30 in Google Play credit and 3 free months of Google Play Music. For an extra $100, you can go the Pro model, featuring 500GB of onboard storage. Included with the Pro is also a SHIELD Controller, $30 of Google Play credit, 3 months of Google Play Music, and a copy of Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel upon its release. So, in my opinion, if you are thinking SHIELD, then you have to go Pro. All that storage will really come in handy, allowing you not to worry about taking up too much space with games you don’t play.

One of my issues with the pricing is not of the unit itself, but with its accessories. For an extra $50, you can buy a SHIELD Remote, or for $30, a SHIELD Stand. While the stand is nice, it’s a piece of plastic that you stick your SHIELD into. It looks cool, but $30? Damn. $50 also seems steep for SHIELD Remote. Instead of including Borderlands and 3 free months of Google Play Music, why not throw in a SHIELD Remote and Stand for Pro model buyers? Or maybe a complete SHIELD Bundle option for those who don’t want/need Play Music and Borderlands? Even more crazy, why not offer a SHIELD coupled with a SHIELD Remote for just $150, then make people purchase a SHIELD Controller separately if they decide they want to game with the device? There are a few different ways NVIDIA could have gone about the pricing for SHIELD, and in the long run, they probably chose right, but as a consumer, I would have liked to see a few more options.

And seriously, $199 for just 16GB of storage? At least make it 32GB, NVIDIA.

The Not-so-Good

Bugs Here and There

I, along with our friend Dave Kover who owns a Pro model of SHIELD, have come across a bug or two during our time with SHIELD. It’s nothing crazy, but they do exist, and so far, have been the only damper on my time with the device. For me, at times when I don’t place the device into Sleep mode and leave it, I will come back to it and the picture will be extremely distorted. This will force me to restart the box, then all seems well. Again, this only seems to happen when I leave the device sitting for a while and not placing it in Sleep mode. Dave, on the other hand, ran into an issue with the connectivity of his SHIELD Controller. After starting playback on a video, the SHIELD Controller will turn off (disconnect), and then when he presses the SHIELD button to turn on the controller, it won’t sync back up with SHIELD. This also resulted in him having to restart his box. These are not insane bugs, all of which are likely fixable by NVIDIA in an update, but don’t go into SHIELD thinking you will have a flawless experience, and then when something happens you freak out and think your unit is broken. Bugs happen.

Video

Hardware Overview and Software Tour

Verdict

In my opinion, SHIELD is the best set-top box you can get on the market today. It delivers everything the competitors have, and then some. Sure, that initial cost might seem high at first, but in the long run, you have a future proof box that delivers your HD movies, music, games, and 4K content. That’s a lot to ask for, all for starting at $199.

The only real reason you should opt for something less is because you think you won’t need all of the gaming features. I mean, c’mon, it comes coupled with a game controller. If games aren’t your thing, then there is no need for it, and maybe a Nexus Player or Smart TV with Android TV baked in would be a better fit. But if you want to turn your TV experience up to 11, SHIELD is the way to go.

]]>http://www.droid-life.com/2015/06/23/nvidia-shield-review-2/feed/50NVIDIA SHIELD Receives 1.2 Update, Includes 4K Picture Sharing and GameStream Enhancementshttp://www.droid-life.com/2015/06/15/nvidia-shield-upgrade-2-1/
http://www.droid-life.com/2015/06/15/nvidia-shield-upgrade-2-1/#commentsMon, 15 Jun 2015 15:39:43 +0000http://www.droid-life.com/?p=169069NVIDIA SHIELD Receives 1.2 Update, Includes 4K Picture Sharing and GameStream Enhancements is a post from: Droid Life
]]>The SHIELD Android TV set-top box from NVIDIA is receiving a big update this morning, labeled as upgrade 1.2. Inside, owners who have a 4K TV in the living room can now share photos with super high resolution directly from the Photos & Videos app.

NVIDIA also baked in enhancements for SD card auto-move settings, improvements for GameStream (PC game streaming over home network), notifications for low battery on SHIELD Remote, plus an update for the SHIELD Remote that should make the accessory a bit more snappy.

Lastly, streaming performance for apps such as Netflix and Google Play Movies has been included. Check out the full changelog below, then go grab it. Unless you are busy at work. Then you will have to wait until later.

]]>http://www.droid-life.com/2015/06/15/nvidia-shield-upgrade-2-1/feed/16If You Own an Android TV Box and Game Controller, Pick Up Hotline Miami Right Nowhttp://www.droid-life.com/2015/06/03/hotline-miami-game/
http://www.droid-life.com/2015/06/03/hotline-miami-game/#commentsWed, 03 Jun 2015 23:06:30 +0000http://www.droid-life.com/?p=168536If You Own an Android TV Box and Game Controller, Pick Up Hotline Miami Right Now is a post from: Droid Life
]]>Launching alongside SHIELD, NVIDIA’s Android TV set-top box, Hotline Miami is currently my favorite game for the Android TV platform. To play the game, a controller is needed as you assume the role of an antihero who battles Miami’s underworld of crime lords in the late 80s. As you will quickly find out, your thinking cap will come in handy, as you must plot out the best way to clear buildings full of baddies, and needless to say, this game isn’t rated “Mature 17+” for nothing.

Players can choose whether to go in guns blazing, as there is a very large arsenal for you to choose from. You can pick up shotguns, machine guns, machetes, and even beer bottles to hurl at your enemies. Although, I choose the more stealthy approach, waiting for thugs to walk past me, then blindsiding them with a baseball bat to the face. It helps keep the dogs and other enemies from being aware of your presence.

The game probably won’t win any awards for insane graphics, but that is part of the charm. It reminds me a lot of the old, top down scrollers, such as the first Grand Theft Auto game. If anyone here was a fan of the movie Drive, then the soundtrack featured in Miami Hotline will make you very happy, as it really helps set the mood while you are murdering and getting blood all over your clothes.

Do note, this appears to be an official port of the PC game, but thanks to its developers, the controls through a dedicated controller are amazing. And if you have a Fire TV or Fire TV Stick, you can find it on Amazon as well, instead of Google Play.

Priced at $4.99 with zero IAPs, this game has my official seal of approval.

]]>http://www.droid-life.com/2015/06/03/hotline-miami-game/feed/16HBO Go, Twitch, FX Now and More Apps Coming Soon to Android TVhttp://www.droid-life.com/2015/06/01/hbo-go-twitch-fx-now-and-more-apps-coming-soon-to-android-tv/
http://www.droid-life.com/2015/06/01/hbo-go-twitch-fx-now-and-more-apps-coming-soon-to-android-tv/#commentsMon, 01 Jun 2015 17:35:45 +0000http://www.droid-life.com/?p=168236HBO Go, Twitch, FX Now and More Apps Coming Soon to Android TV is a post from: Droid Life
]]>Your Android TV will soon have a few more apps to play with, including HBO Go, HBO Now, CBS News, Twitch, and FX Now. As detailed by NVIDIA, Android TV is a growing platform with an already healthy assortment of apps, but soon, more standalone applications will come, making an Android TV set-top box or Smart TV with Android TV built-in an even better purchase.

Many of the aforementioned apps already allow for Cast functionality for streaming, but Android TV lacks many standalone blockbuster apps. One large name is HBO, and at this time, you still have to cast from HBO Go to bring any Game of Thrones action to your big screen. However, this summer, HBO intends to launch its HBO Now subscription service for Android users, and hopefully before that, HBO Go will be made available as well for those who already pay their cable provider for access.

There are no dates set for the release of these apps onto Android TV, but as more information is made available, we will update you. To see what apps are already available for Android TV, check them out on Google Play.

]]>http://www.droid-life.com/2015/06/01/hbo-go-twitch-fx-now-and-more-apps-coming-soon-to-android-tv/feed/32NVIDIA SHIELD Android TV Hands-on and Impressionshttp://www.droid-life.com/2015/05/28/nvidia-shield-android-tv-hands-on-and-impressions/
http://www.droid-life.com/2015/05/28/nvidia-shield-android-tv-hands-on-and-impressions/#commentsThu, 28 May 2015 19:00:14 +0000http://www.droid-life.com/?p=167836NVIDIA SHIELD Android TV Hands-on and Impressions is a post from: Droid Life
]]>SHIELD from NVIDIA is now available for you to purchase, bringing an impressive Android gaming and Android TV experience straight to your living room. Featuring NVIDIA’s Tegra X1 processor and 3GB of RAM, this set-top box is capable of delivering AAA gaming titles for you to play, while also including Netflix Ultra HD (4K) playback capability.

On the surface, Android TV on SHIELD is the same easy-to-use OS that runs on the Nexus Player, but NVIDIA has boosted the operating system’s performance, including a load of ports and computing power inside of the box. On the backside, the SHIELD features two full-size USB 3.0 ports, HDMI 2.0 with HDCP 2.2 to display 4K content, 2.0 microUSB port allowing SHIELD to attach to PCs as a storage device, microSD slot for up to 2TB of additional storage, Gigabit Ethernet port, Infra-red port for Logitech Universal remote connectivity, and Bluetooth 2.1 for additional accessories.

Beyond just the hardware, NVIDIA has incorporated many software advantages to owning a SHIELD, with the largest being gaming. Included inside of SHIELD is GRID connectivity, NVIDIA’s cloud-based game streaming service that allows gamers to stream and play AAA titles directly from remote servers. As of right now, the service is still completely free to use, but it is reported that in the future, NVIDIA may look to charge a monthly price for access to GRID. Of course, SHIELD also features access to Google Play, plus a few new exciting titles announced today such as DOOM 3 BFG, The Talos Principle, and more.

SHIELD is priced at $199 for the 16GB model, coupled with a SHIELD Controller, plus a 4K-ready HDMI cable. For an extra $100, you can purchase the 500GB Pro model, which also comes with a SHIELD Controller, 4K HDMI cable, plus a copy of Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel. That game is a $30 value, plus the huge jump in onboard storage. If you need that much storage, plus love gaming, the Pro model would be a good choice.

For accessories, you can pick up a SHIELD Remote for $50, or a SHIELD Stand to prop your box up for $29. Additionally, NVIDIA has partnered with Google to make the SHIELD an even better buy. When purchased, buyers will receive a $30 Google Play gift card, plus a free 90-day subscription to Google Play Music.

Below, I take SHIELD for a spin in my own home, giving you a tour of the device and what it offers your living room. If you need more SHIELD action, our full review is on the way. For those who want access to those awesome new games for Android, follow the links below.

Note: Purchase links and Google Play links may lead to dead ends, but be patient. It takes time for things to populate the servers.

If you are already sold on the box, you can purchase one directly from NVIDIA here.

]]>http://www.droid-life.com/2015/05/28/nvidia-shield-android-tv-hands-on-and-impressions/feed/98NVIDIA SHIELD Tablet Receiving Update to Android 5.1, Includes Display and Camera Improvementshttp://www.droid-life.com/2015/05/22/nvidia-tablet-receiving-update-to-android-5-1-includes-display-and-camera-improvements/
http://www.droid-life.com/2015/05/22/nvidia-tablet-receiving-update-to-android-5-1-includes-display-and-camera-improvements/#commentsFri, 22 May 2015 22:26:04 +0000http://www.droid-life.com/?p=167749NVIDIA SHIELD Tablet Receiving Update to Android 5.1, Includes Display and Camera Improvements is a post from: Droid Life
]]>NVIDIA SHIELD Tablet owners, the day has come. Android 5.1 is now ready for download onto your tablet, bringing a gang of fixes and improvements for the device.

To kick it off, Android 5.1 itself brings many bug fixes for Lollipop, including performance improvements and responsiveness upgrades, as well as support for Android for Work. On top of just Android fixings, NVIDIA worked in improved display performance (Global Tone Mapping), and a firmware update for the SHIELD Controller.

Lastly, improvements for the camera, audio, LTE modem (for LTE capable models, naturally), and other various fixes are all inside of the update.

]]>http://www.droid-life.com/2015/05/22/nvidia-tablet-receiving-update-to-android-5-1-includes-display-and-camera-improvements/feed/36NVIDIA GRID Cloud Gaming Now Streaming in 1080p 60FPShttp://www.droid-life.com/2015/05/12/nvidia-grid-cloud-gaming-now-streaming-in-1080p-60fps/
http://www.droid-life.com/2015/05/12/nvidia-grid-cloud-gaming-now-streaming-in-1080p-60fps/#commentsTue, 12 May 2015 22:37:19 +0000http://www.droid-life.com/?p=167275NVIDIA GRID Cloud Gaming Now Streaming in 1080p 60FPS is a post from: Droid Life
]]>NVIDIA’s cloud gaming service, GRID, just got a switch flipped on to allow gamers to stream games in Full HD (1080p) 60 frames per second on supported devices. Previously, games streamed were in 720p, but did not look all that bad. This change will up the quality players see, but does require a bit faster of an Internet connection.

According to NVIDIA, users of GRID will need a SHIELD device, naturally, and a connection speed of no lower than 30Mbps. To stream in 720p, a connection speed of only 9Mbps or above was needed.

As of right now, roughly 35 games support 1080p 60FPS streaming, but there are more on the way.

]]>http://www.droid-life.com/2015/05/12/nvidia-grid-cloud-gaming-now-streaming-in-1080p-60fps/feed/15NVIDIA to End Icera Modem Operations in 2016, Open to Sale of Technology and Operationshttp://www.droid-life.com/2015/05/06/nvidia-to-end-icera-modem-operations/
http://www.droid-life.com/2015/05/06/nvidia-to-end-icera-modem-operations/#commentsWed, 06 May 2015 22:57:38 +0000http://www.droid-life.com/?p=166877NVIDIA to End Icera Modem Operations in 2016, Open to Sale of Technology and Operations is a post from: Droid Life
]]>In 2011, during a heated race between chipmakers to include LTE modems in their application processors, NVIDIA acquired Icera. By incorporating Icera’s modem technology into the Tegra lineup of chips, NVIDIA was able to partner with a few OEMs to launch devices here and there, but nothing ever really took off from the acquisition.

Now, in 2015, it appears NVIDIA is all but wrapped up with this venture, and is looking to offload Icera to anyone interested in its operations or technology.

NVIDIA states, “the company has reshaped its strategy to focus on high-growth opportunities in gaming, automotive and cloud computing applications like deep learning, where its visual computing expertise is greatly valued.”

With this, NVIDIA will cease operations of Icera in the second quarter of next year, and going forward, NVIDIA expects to partner with third-party modem makers and will no longer develop its own.

This news should not be too much of a shock to anyone who has been following NVIDIA, as it was not too long ago when its CEO announced the company would no longer be focusing heavily on smartphones.

]]>http://www.droid-life.com/2015/05/06/nvidia-to-end-icera-modem-operations/feed/10NVIDIA SHIELD Tablet and SHIELD Portable to Receive Android 5.1 Updatehttp://www.droid-life.com/2015/04/22/nvidia-shield-tablet-and-shield-portable-to-receive-android-5-1-update/
http://www.droid-life.com/2015/04/22/nvidia-shield-tablet-and-shield-portable-to-receive-android-5-1-update/#commentsWed, 22 Apr 2015 23:08:32 +0000http://www.droid-life.com/?p=166091NVIDIA SHIELD Tablet and SHIELD Portable to Receive Android 5.1 Update is a post from: Droid Life
]]>Straight from NVIDIA’s forums, it appears the company is prepping OTA updates for the SHIELD Tablet and SHIELD Portable, bumping them up to Android 5.1 for all owners.

A representative for the company in the forums states that they have heard the cries of consumers, mainly due to the buggy nature of the early builds for Lollipop, and to help owners, they will bring Android 5.1 as soon as possible.

As part of the SHIELD tablet experience post-OTA 2.0, we heard your feedback about performance and responsiveness issues related to the Android OS. We have identified and fixed many of these issues in an upcoming OTA release, which will also upgrade the OS to Android 5.1. In addition to new features and improved security, Android 5.1 provides an overall snappier end user experience.

This is great news for SHIELD Portable owners, as their devices have still yet to even get a taste of Lollipop. If you are like me, running Lollipop on the SHIELD Tablet, your experience is likely filled with frustrations from time to time, including a very odd Netflix bug which renders the app useless unless you reboot the device.

Either way, the OTAs should arrive soon enough. We will let you know when to start hitting the update button.

]]>http://www.droid-life.com/2015/04/22/nvidia-shield-tablet-and-shield-portable-to-receive-android-5-1-update/feed/26NVIDIA’s SHIELD is the Only Android TV Set-Top Box You’ll Needhttp://www.droid-life.com/2015/03/04/nvidias-shield-is-the-only-android-tv-set-top-box-youll-need/
http://www.droid-life.com/2015/03/04/nvidias-shield-is-the-only-android-tv-set-top-box-youll-need/#commentsThu, 05 Mar 2015 00:11:38 +0000http://www.droid-life.com/?p=162889NVIDIA’s SHIELD is the Only Android TV Set-Top Box You’ll Need is a post from: Droid Life
]]>After NVIDIA announced the SHIELD set-top box / game console this week, I saw a random Internet commenter state that it was nothing more than “OUYA 2.0.” While the thought is mildly humorous, SHIELD is much more than what OUYA ever was, hoped to be, and ever will be.

With the birth of Android TV last year, NVIDIA is placing a bet on the living room, and if the upward tick in smart TV purchases is any preliminary indicator, the company could have a very successful product on their hands.

Thankfully, NVIDIA is offering much more than just a plain Android TV box, something that already exists in the Nexus Player for just $99. SHIELD doubles as a complete game console, capable of running AAA titles (a classification term used for games with the highest development budgets and levels of promotion), such as Crysis 3, Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel, GRID 2, and DOOM 3.

Linked up to NVIDIA’s own GRID game-streaming network, with servers placed all across the globe thanks to a partnership with Amazon, owners are able to sit back on the couch and experience a few of the newest games available. At launch, NVIDIA plans to have 50 games accessible through GRID, but that number is sure to grow fast as new games are produced all of the time.

Not only does SHIELD offer these console-grade game titles through NVIDIA’s servers, but owners also have access to Google Play, which brings all of its content to the device. This content includes movies, music, apps, games, and anything else that your little heart might desire. This simple fact makes SHIELD and the Android TV platform as a whole quite powerful.

Having owned pretty much all of NVIDIA’s product offerings that involved Android, I can speak from experience that the company takes their ventures quite seriously. In terms of updating their devices, the SHIELD Tablet was one of the first to receive the Lollipop update after Google released it, with NVIDIA still pumping out updates in a timely manner to this day. If you have been burned by companies not getting updates out to you, and we all know this can be very important for Android users, then there should be no better option than SHIELD.

As for accessories, the SHIELD console can be paired to a SHIELD Remote, which is based of off Google’s own design that is seen with the Nexus Player. But more importantly, the system comes with a SHIELD Controller, which carries a value of $60 on NVIDIA’s website. This piece of hardware will be crucial for those of you who want to take advantage of NVIDIA’s GRID network.

The overall package, at least in my eyes as a consumer, has no comparison. As someone who enjoys gaming, by myself and with friends, the SHIELD will be the ultimate Android TV experience for anyone’s home priced at just $199.